Photographer who rubbed shoulders with royalty to teach Lincoln students

Britain's most decorated press photographer will teach aspiring snappers at the University of Lincoln after accepting a Visiting Professorship.

During a career spanning more than 30 years, Dr. Mike Maloney OBE has won 107 major photographic honours, including being voted Press Photographer of the Year three times.

He will soon be giving masterclasses in the secrets of shutter speeds and apertures with undergraduate students in the University's College of Arts, which encompasses the schools of media, journalism and art and design.

Mike was chief photographer for Mirror Group Newspapers before turning freelance in 2002. His work has taken him across the globe and introduced him to some of the world's most famous faces, including stars of stage and screen like Frank Sinatra, Mae West and Grace Kelly. He has photographed many world leaders including Clinton, Reagan, Gorbachev and Yeltsin, resulting in invitations to dine at the White House and the Kremlin.

He is perhaps best known for his work photographing the Royal Family, and was said to be the Queen Mother's favourite press photographer. He is the only Fleet Street photo-journalist to be awarded an OBE, receiving the honour in 2005.

A Freeman of the City of London, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by the University of Lincoln in 2001. It is believed he is the first Fleet Street photographer to be awarded a Professorship of Photography.

Mike, who was born and educated in Lincoln, said: "It's a great thrill and honour to be offered the title of visiting professor at my hometown university. Wherever I've travelled, I've always held the city close to my heart and have kept a keen interest in the spectacular development of the University. I'm very much looking forward to meeting the students and teaching them a few tricks of the trade, as well as offering them some guidance on pursuing a successful career as a photographer."

Professor David Sleight, Associate Professor of Media and Dean of the Faculty of Media, Humanities and Performance at the University of Lincoln, said Mike had been a staunch supporter of the University and his appointment will further strengthen links with the creative industries, already evidenced in strong graduate employment rates.

He said: "Mike's contribution to press photography in this country is of great significance. He has played a pivotal role in building the relationship between the press and the Royal Family and his images have been seen by millions of newspaper readers worldwide. He has also been an advocate for high quality skills in photography and has written and coached extensively in books, magazines and through training courses."